Kindiki rides on elders’ greenlight in renewed Central Kenya charm offensive

What you need to know:

• Prof Kindiki was endorsed by elders at Kirigiti stadium in Kiambu county on September 19, 2026.
• Mr Gachagua’s Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) now commands a larger part of Mt Kenya west.

Deputy President Kithure Kindiki is leveraging on the coronation by elders as Mt Kenya region spokesman to make inroads into the west part of the region where President William Ruto’s administration is facing serious political opposition.

Prof Kindiki was endorsed by elders at Kirigiti stadium in Kiambu county on September 19, 2026, and immediately embarked on a charm offensive in Mt Kenya West with the aim of wrestling it from his predecessor Rigathi Gachagua.  

After his impeachment in October 2024, Mr Gachagua launched an aggressive campaign against President Ruto, claiming the President had betrayed the community.

Mr Gachagua’s Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) now commands a larger part of Mt Kenya west comprising Nyeri, Kirinyaga, Murang’a and Nyandarua counties where United Democratic Alliance (UDA) has lost significant ground.

While Prof Kindiki has over the past three months concentrated on consolidating Mt Kenya east – Embu, Tharaka Nithi and Meru – he has now set his eyes on the west.

Over the past one month, the DP has toured Murang’a, Nyeri, Kirinyaga and Kiambu counties, where he stressed that his role as the Mt Kenya spokesman was to unite the region.

The DP has also rolled out an elaborate development agenda and unity push, while spearheading renewed crackdown on illicit alcohol.

He has also spoken strongly against goons, saying Dr Ruto’s administration would not allow politicians to reign terror with hired goons, and vowed to crack down on organisers of political violence.

On Monday, Prof Kindiki toured Othaya constituency, his fifth visit to Nyeri county within a month.

The DP said the government would not tolerate goonism and violence, and warned politicians who sponsor violence during rallies that their days were numbered.

“I have seen people stone other people's vehicles, while others burn supermarkets and shops. An elderly person may have invested in a shop to provide for their children, only for someone to pay young people to loot and burn that business. That is senseless,” Prof Kindiki said.

“I want to make it clear that we are people who work hard to acquire wealth, not people who destroy property. Our culture teaches us to work hard and build, not to destroy,” the DP said.

"We will make it extremely costly and painful for any leader, regardless of their rank or status, who encourages violence, goonism or any form of destruction of property. We will not allow it.”

In Othaya, Prof Kindiki inspected the Gathunguri-Waihara- Kabebero road which has been completed, and later launched the Kihuro- Kirio- Kianjogu last mile electrification project.

The road is part of the 775-kilometer road network prioritised for tarmacking within Nyeri County at a cost of Sh45 billion while the electricity supply project is part of the Sh650 million initiative to connect 12,000 additional households with electricity.

“Roads and electricity are crucial enablers of economic growth, job creation, boosting agricultural productivity and improving living standards of the people,” he said.

He said construction of fresh produce markets, affordable housing units and student accommodation facilities worth 17 billion shillings within Nyeri, with more planned projects valued at Sh5 billion.

“The Mwai Kibaki Level 6 Teaching and Referral Hospital in Othaya and the Nyeri PGH Level 5 Hospital have received 1 billion shillings each, to upgrade their facilities to meet the increasing demand for medical care from public health facilities,” the DP said.

Ruring'u and Othaya Stadiums were are at advanced stages of completion, at a cost of Sh900 million and Sh55 million respectively, he said.

On political unity, Prof Kindiki said elders who endorsed him to speak on behalf of the Mt Kenya communities  instructed him to foster coexistence among all Kenyans.

“I ask you to help us promote unity and reject politicians who come here seeking to divide Kenyans, create confusion and encourage conflict while misleading people under the guise of politics,” he said.

“Politics is a democratic competition in which people compete through ideas and proposals on how best to help the nation. We vote, the person who wins leads us, and the person who loses waits for another opportunity,” he added.

Noting that an election was not a war, the DP said people should not turn politics into a source of conflict, adding that community elders had instructed him to ensure that politicians shun insults, violence and disrespect with all leaders allowed to present their policies and development record.

Prof Kindiki also reiterated that the government would crack down on rogue manufacturers of illicit brews who mixed alcohol with poisonous chemicals that endanger consumers’ health.

“We will deal firmly and without mercy with all those selling such dangerous alcohol. This is not politics; it is about protecting our nation and our communities so that our young people can engage in the productive activities they are supposed to undertake,” he said.

The DP was accompanied by Nyeri Senator Wahome Wamatinga, MPs Wambugu Wainaina (Othaya), Duncan Mathenge (Nyeri Town), Energy Principal Secretary Alex Wachira, his East African Community counterpart Dr Carol Karugu and several MCAs among other leaders.

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